A Baby of Her Own (Dundee, Idaho #1)(52)
Author: Brenda Novak

“Scandal?” Clive asked sharply.

Stephen leaned an elbow on the counter as though delighted with the attention he was receiving—and the bomb he was about to drop. “You know Millie and Ralph Lawson, right?”

Conner felt his stomach tense. Here it comes…

“Sure, I know ’em. Known ’em for years,” Clive said. “They’re good folks.”

“Well, you may be hearing from them real soon. Conner’s knocked up Dundee’s librarian, who also happens to be their daughter. The whole town’s buzzing with the news.” Stephen’s mouth twisted into a self-satisfied smile. “Seems Delaney Lawson was a bit of a saint before she ran into him.”

Clive’s eyes shifted to Conner, and the spark of pride that had flickered in their depths only seconds before disappeared. “That’s not true, is it, Con?” he asked. “You haven’t left Millie and Ralph’s daughter, or any other young lady, holding the bag, have you?”

Conner stood. Stephen had laid it all on the line; his secret was out. For a moment, he thought of explaining how it had happened, how Delaney had asked him to dispense with her virginity and he’d innocently obliged. But he knew, with his past, how hollow any excuse would sound. And he wasn’t willing to save himself at Delaney’s expense. He had to take full responsibility and make it right—or he’d disappoint his grandfather again.

He forced a bright smile even though the resentment he felt toward Delaney suddenly spiked. “Thanks for ruining my surprise, Stephen,” he said. “And just when I was about to make the big announcement.”

“The big announcement?” Stephen scoffed, still smug.

“Yeah. I have good news, but I wanted to save it for the right moment, which I guess is now, thanks to you.”

Stephen’s expression finally showed a touch of uncertainty. “What do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath, Conner replied with as much excitement as he could manage. “I’m getting married.”

His mother briefly covered her mouth with one hand. His grandfather pushed the button that raised his bed.

“You’re marrying this woman who’s pregnant with your child?” his mother asked.

“It’s true that Delaney and I are expecting a baby. But I’m happy about it,” he lied.

Stephen looked stricken, but his grandfather was obviously pleased. “I can’t think of anything better for you, son,” he said. “The people of Dundee are good people, salt of the earth, and it’s high time you settled down.”

Conner had a momentary vision of Delaney lying to him in the lobby of the Bellemont, lying to him in his hotel room, and wanted to throttle her. If not for her, he wouldn’t be in this position.

At least the shock on Stephen’s face was gratifying. “That’s what I’ve been thinking,” he murmured.

“But you haven’t even mentioned her,” his mother said. “When did you two meet?”

Conner focused on Stephen and kept his smile firmly in place. For the moment, he’d outmaneuvered him, but it was going to be a costly move. Marriage? Now? “Almost the minute I arrived in Idaho.”

“He’s lying,” Stephen said. “He just came up with this. I can tell.”

But everyone ignored him.

“A wedding. Isn’t that wonderful, Dad?” Vivian gushed. “Conner’s getting married and starting a family. I can’t wait to meet the lucky bride. When’s the wedding?”

“Uh…we haven’t set a date yet. But soon,” he said. “You’ll be the first to know.” Right behind Delaney.

“So when we see you next, it’ll be in Dundee? Is that where you’re having the wedding?”

“Yeah.”

“Isn’t that wonderful?” Vivian said again.

Thrilling, Conner thought. Now all he had to do was convince Delaney. He doubted she’d be too happy about it, but she was the one who’d gotten him into this. And she was going to be the one who’d get him out.

IT WAS LATE BY THE TIME Conner’s plane touched down in Boise. He rented a car because he hadn’t arranged for anyone to pick him up, and headed out onto the open road, eager for a couple of hours to think before he confronted Delaney. How was he going to get her to marry him? He couldn’t exactly force her, which meant he had to enlist her cooperation. But how? They didn’t know each other very well, and he hadn’t been particularly nice in the time they’d been acquainted; he’d been too angry for that. He didn’t have a lot to offer as far as stability went, considering the risk he was about to take, and she’d made it abundantly clear that she didn’t want anything from him. None of which stacked the odds in his favor. Besides, he couldn’t help balking at having his hand forced like this, which made winning her heart completely out of the question.

So what other weapon did he have?

Logic, he decided. Marriage would solve a myriad of problems. It would give their baby his name, save Delaney’s reputation, relieve her of at least part of the financial burden, protect his grandfather from further shame and reduce his uncles’ power over him. It also gave Conner some claim on Delaney. If they were married, she wouldn’t be slow-dancing with other men at the Honky Tonk as though she were single, he told himself. She’d make a commitment to him, he’d make a commitment to her, and they’d both be committed to their baby. That was the way it was supposed to be, and she was the one who’d chosen this path back in Boise, right?

By the time Conner passed beneath the wrought-iron arch leading to the ranch, he’d made his decision. He’d approach her in the morning, lay it all out and they’d set a date. How hard could it be? Then he’d get back to all the other things he had to do, like buy a nine-million-dollar ranch without any money of his own. And buy it, moreover, from his uncles, who would certainly fight him if they thought he had half a chance of succeeding.

He was the black sheep of the family, the one who wasn’t supposed to be able to do anything right. But now he was getting married, having a child, buying a ranch and building a huge resort. Was he crazy? Probably. But he wasn’t about to change course.

With a sigh, Conner parked as close to the door as he could manage with all the other vehicles already clogging the drive. He grabbed his bag and hopped out. He’d told Roy to let Delaney know he’d be home tonight, but he hoped she hadn’t waited up. He was tired and overwhelmed and figured tomorrow would be soon enough to set everything straight. Yet, when he let himself inside and found the whole place dark, he was strangely disappointed.